photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Weeks of planning, calculating, and practicing paid off with a picture perfect motorcycle stunt by Australian Robbie Maddison. Making the "impossible jump" look almost too easy, Maddison thrilled the crowd with his adrenalin fueled flight for the Red Bull New Year No Limits TV Special broadcast live on ESPN. He roared off the ramp going almost vertical to a height of well over one hundred feet before touching down atop the L'Arc de Triomphe at the Paris Resort on the Las Vegas Strip. With a quick stop to wave to the crowd he then jumped off the ninety-six foot structure into a fifty foot free fall before making a safe landing and stop.

Robbie injured his hand, but otherwise it was perfect. Keep an eye on the Redbull YouTube channel for the official video.

Flipchip was there with the camera and provides a dozen photos of the Robbie Maddison Up & Down thriller. Click below to jump to the jump photos.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

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Posted by flipchipro at 11:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

UPDATE: The jump was a success! Robbie injured his hand, but otherwise it was perfect. Keep an eye on the Redbull YouTube channel for the official video.

We're just hours away from what will probably be the most spectacular motorcycle jump to date (see the latest teaser trailer in HD on YouTube). Last year's record leap of 322 feet pales in comparison to this year's stunt by motorcyclist Robbie Maddison. He will race down the acceleration runway to the ramp that will take him almost vertical, straight up more than a hundred feet to the top of the Arc de Triomphe at the Paris resort in Las Vegas. Once there Maddison will then dive his bike off the Arc, free falling fifty feet to the landing ramp and a stop back on the ground. FYI: The top of the Arc is approximately 95 ft long x 40 ft wide.

Everything will be broadcast live on the ESPN Sports channel during the New Year's Eve TV Special, Red Bull New Year No Limits. The stunt will be performed sometime after 8 PM PT following the conclusion of the Chick-Fil-A Bowl game. As an added bonus viewers will see another first ever stunt when Rhys Millen attempts to do a backflip in his off-road truck.

Those lucky folks spending New Year's Eve in Las Vegas can watch the jump for free. Tune into Red Bull New Year No Limits on the ESPN channel tonight for one of the most daring motorcycle stunts ever attempted.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Posted by flipchipro at 5:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Las Vegas will be pulling out all the stops with the upcoming new year's celebrations. Aptly labeled America's party, the events will include all of the strip and the downtown Fremont Experience. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has assured us the place to be to ring in the New Year is Las Vegas.

Fireworks by Grucci is planning the largest New Year's pyrotechnics show in the country that will last over eight minutes while more than thirty thousand fireworks bombard the Las Vegas strip and downtown Fremont Experience.

Downtown's Fremont Experience is hosting a TributePalooza with eight of the world's best tribute bands. Non-stop live music from two stages will give revelers seven hours of rock, and as stated there will be a fireworks show under the light canopy.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Extreme motorcycle daredevils are a major part of this year's party with two major jumps planned for the Paris and Mirage resorts on the Las Vegas strip, but don't forget about the two wheeled crazies downtown, Guinness World Record Holders Bela Tabak's Riders of the Thunderdome perform in the Globe of Death. There will also be an off-road truck attempting to do the first ever backflip.

And the really good news? Admission is free to the Las Vegas strip. Fremont Street Experience downtown is free to Las Vegas residents with ID but capacity is limited. Guess the city brain trust finally figured out the residents of Las Vegas that once owned Fremont Street before the city gave it away didn't much like paying fifty bucks to visit their former property. Out-of-town guests will be required to fork over twenty bucks for entry. Of course, you must be twenty-one to gain entry to the party. Gates open at 6 PM New Year's Eve.

Complete details are available at the official website America's Party, Las Vegas New Year 2009.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

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photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

The full-time, party-time atmosphere of Las Vegas can make it difficult for the inexperienced to know a major holiday, such as the upcoming New Year, is here. We offer a list of ways to quickly know it's New Year's Eve in Las Vegas.

9. Entire town goes dark when a bunch of movie dudes rob all the casinos.

8. Caesars Palace fountains filled with cheap Champagne.

7. Fremont Street Experience holding first ever bottle throwing & throwing-up contest.

6. Steve Wynn accidentally burns down the Fashion Show's Aluminum Cloud while firing bottle rockets from the top of the Wynn.

5. Las Vegas Strip is deserted because everyone is home watching the New Year's Eve TV show from New York.

4. Steve Wynn accidentally burns down the abandoned Echelon project while firing bottle rockets from the top of the Encore.

3. Crowning of Miss Silicone Las Vegas at annual DuPont Pageant.

2. Mirage Volcano eruption sprays real molten lava.

1. Las Vegas Metro cops shooting their guns into the air at midnight.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Posted by flipchipro at 4:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

If you're still looking for something to do this New Year's Eve and have really been wondering where you might watch someone attempt suicide by motorcycle, then I've got exactly the place, the Las Vegas Strip. Motorcycle daredevil, Robbie Maddison, and his crew of engineers, physicist, mechanics, flight attendants and a TV network will attempt to jump a motorcycle from the ground to a safe landing atop the ten story Arc de Triomphe at the Paris Resort on the Strip. For an encore, he will then jump off the Arc. We can find nothing to substantiate the rumor he'll be on a bike made by Boeing.

But wait, that's not all. Another extreme crazy, Rhys Millen, will try to do a first ever backflip in an off road truck, providing he survives practice. Last year Rhys shattered some vertebrae when the truck did a flop instead of a flip. Better luck this year.

There's even more. Robbie Knievel, yes he's the son of that Knievel, will attempt to fly his motorbike through the flames of the erupting Mirage volcano. This is the newly improved, hotter than hell Mirage volcano. How do you like your Knievel? Medium rare OK?

Click photos for high rez then check out the landing strip for Maddison. Note, flood lights on top of the Arc in lower photo have been removed in top photo taken a short time later. Anyone have an over/under for this one?

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

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photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Looking for some cheap shows to see while in Las Vegas?

With the one-two punch of the holidays and recession upon us, now's a great time to snatch up tickets that even casinos are having a hard time comping.

If you can do last-minute, hang out by the theater a few minutes before the show. Oftentimes someone will be there who can't make the show. These aren't scalpers, just tourists who may have received comps but don't care to see the show and will take anything you give them.

Another place to check out is Goldstar.com, which offers half-price tickets to some of the smaller shows in Vegas (plus some big acts like Penn & Teller). They charge a modest fee, not the gouging you'll get from Ticketmaster.

TravelZoo has lots of discounted shows that they update frequently -- current specials include Mystere, KA, and Zumanity for $60. LOVE and Le Reve are $90. Blue Man Group is $50. Even the brand new show Criss Angel BELIEVE is at $59, but some who've seen the show would say that's still too high.

Half-price ticket outlets for day-of-show are scattered around the city, modeled after TKTS in New York City. While not offering the top tier shows, Tix4Tonight sometimes sneaks in a headliner like Donny & Marie. Check out their special preview page at this link and then head over to the big Coke bottle (north of Gameworks and MGM Grand). Other locations are the Hawaiian Marketplace, downtown (Four Queens), Bill's Gamblin' Hall, and Fashion Show Mall.

If you're a local, stop by the box office and ask if there are any locals discounts. Many theaters have them but don't advertise them.

Theaters would always rather have their seats filled, if they have to deeply discount or even give them away.

Good luck, enjoy the show, and Happy Holidays!

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

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photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Every time we drive by Fry's Electronics at the Town Square off Las Vegas Blvd., we're now going to think that we could've gambled for our wares.

Ausaf Umar Siddiqui, the vice president of Fry's merchandising and operations, has been arrested on charges of embezzling as much as $65 million from the company.

Over the past three years, Siddiqui allegedly received large kickbacks in return for using select suppliers for the electronics chain. And those suppliers weren't always the cheapest.

And where did the money go?

According to the Associated Press, almost $18 million of it went to pay back credit extended to him from Las Vegas casinos.

With the free rooms Siddiqui has received from casinos, he'll likely receive another free room for quite awhile, though not as lavish and with a view of only bars.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Steve Wynn gave the public a first view of his latest creation, Wynn Encore Las Vegas, during grand opening ceremonies on Tuesday. My first impression is best summed up by borrowing Wynn's one word description of Encore, "Lovely." Encore must be experienced in person so make plans now and book reservations.

Do yourself a favor and tour the new Wynn joint. Bring the camera, good photos are easy to take at the Encore. A few more of Flipchip's Wynn Encore opening photos after the jump.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

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Posted by flipchipro at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

An armed robbery took place at the Sahara Hotel & Casino last Friday.

Around 6 p.m. on Dec. 19, someone held up the poker room cashier and walked away with an undisclosed amount of money.

To get to the poker room cashier, you have to walk through a row of about eight poker tables on either side. And then back out.

No poker player was robbed, and no one was harmed.

Metro is investigating.

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Venetian has a special offer for first-time members to their Club Grazie player's club (free to join) -- earn at least 1,000 points on your first day ($1,000 playthrough on slots, $3,000 playthrough on video poker), and you'll spend that night in one of their luxurious suites.

Unlike other casinos, the player's card at Venetian (and Palazzo -- they're both considered the same casino when it comes to gaming) don't update points dynamically. You need to remove the card and re-insert (and press "Promo") to find out how many points you've earned.

Here's what else you can get for your first 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 slot points:

500 points: souvenir, $10 slot credits

1,000 points: gondola ride, ticket to Madame Tussauds, $15 slot credits

2,000 points: two gondola rides, two tickets to Madame Tussauds, $30 slot credits, $20 food comp at food court

4,000 points: ticket to Blue Man Group, $75 Canyon Ranch SpaClub treatment, $75 slot credits, $50 food comp at food court

You can only redeem one of these offers on your first trip.

Once you hit 3,000 points, you'll later receive an invitation to the free New Member Slot Tournament, which includes two free nights in a suite.

Oh we are so jealous because we already signed up without these offers. We did about 10,000 points the first time we played and have been getting free room offers ever since.

If you're planning to do some gambling and haven't played at Venetian or Palazzo yet, this is a very good offer. Particularly if you were planning to crash at the Motel 8.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

No hard times at the Wynn Las Vegas. Monday at 8 PM owner Steve Wynn will throw open the doors and welcome guest into his latest fantasy creation, Encore. Located adjacent to the highly successsful Wynn Las Vegas and sharing the same architecture, the 2034 suite hotel will be the Vegas benchmark for luxury.

As usual, the Wynn team has kept the inner trappings of the Encore behind a shroud of secrecy that lends itself to the many rumors of what to expect - A new poker room on an island located in an indoor lake? We'll know in a couple of days. Check it out for yourself with a hotel reservation.

Insiders tell us we won't be disappointed with the new Wynn resort. I'll be there to bring you a first look at Vegas of tomorrow. Encore's grand opening ceremonies begin at 8 PM Tuesday. The opening of a Wynn multi-billion dollar property is a very special event not to be missed.

Steve Wynn did another of the commercials that shows him sitting on the very top of the building. He really does sit on top of the building and dangle his feet over the side of a 653 foot drop while a camera helicopter hoovers nearby.

Posted by flipchipro at 4:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

A rare appearance by a mountain lion popped up in the wilderness city of Virginia City, Nev. (about 7 hours northwest of Las Vegas).

The animal appeared in a woman's backyard, attacking the woman and her dog, which was fighting the mountain lion.

From the equally rare snowfall, tracks identified it as a young mountain lion, and officials of the Nevada Division of Wildlife are searching for the cat in the Virginia Highlands area.

The mountain lion was likely scouting out prey, and spotted the dog tied up in the backyard. It clawed at the woman when she intervened.

The woman and her dog suffered minor injuries.

The last known mountain lion attack on a person in Nevada was in 1991.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Lest the magic tricks in David Copperfield's show be thought of as not dangerous, a hospitalized crewmember will claim otherwise.

The Dec. 17 evening performance of Copperfield's An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion (at Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand) was abruptly cut short during the finale of the show when a technician caught his arm in a large industrial fan.

The assistant was pulled into the spinning blades, breaking his arm and slashing his face. He was rushed to the hospital, where surgeons added stitches to his face and pins to his arm.

In the show, the giant fan is used in a trick where Copperfield walks through it, as the fan evaporates into smoke.

An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion will continue performances tonight through the end of January... including the fan illusion.

As for the lawsuit last year regarding a woman accusing Copperfield of raping her, charges have yet to be filed.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Just as more and more layoffs are occurring, MGM Mirage will soon be seeking upwards of 12,000 new employees to run CityCenter when it opens at the end of 2009.

MGM Mirage itself has laid off its own share of employees, and those employees are being asked to apply for CityCenter positions.

Many of the new hires will be transferred from other properties of MGM Mirage, which means those spots will need filling too.

Applicants can apply online for CityCenter jobs.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

New Years Eve 2009 in Las Vegas will be filled with extreme daredevil motorcycle jumps (two so far) and a first ever backflip in an off road truck. Rhys Millen will attempt the same stunt he was scheduled to perform last year in the Rio's parking lot before breaking some of his vertebrae during a practice run.

ESPN is building on last year's success of the TV spectacular, "Red Bull New Year, No Limits" when Australian Robbie "Maddo" Maddison successfully completed a world record jump of 322 ft. This year Robbie Maddison will be back in action at the Paris Resort on the Las Vegas strip. This year he will fly his bike to a landing on the top of the two-thirds scale Arc de Triomphe toppin out at 96 feet...He will then jump off the Arc. You can watch the truck back flipping and the motorcycle soaring ten stories into the new year, live as it happens, on the ESPN TV Network.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Across the strip another famous motorcycle aerialist, Robbie Knievel, will be jumping the completely refurbished Mirage Volcano during an eruption. It's also the 41st anniversary of a Las Vegas motorcycle jump that went very wrong, shattering most of his famous father Evel Knievel's bones when he jumped the fountains at Caesars Palace. Watch Robbie's jump on your FOX TV affiliate.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Posted by flipchipro at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Just as the first big snowstorm in 30 years pummelled Las Vegas (and is melting just as quickly), boxer Manny Pacquiao pummelled Oscar De La Hoya in what appeared to be a brutal beating in the ring.

Pacquiao easily won the Dec. 6 fight despite bulking up to two heavier weight classes (with De La Hoya losing weight to get into the same class, largely thought to have contributed to his demise).

Now Pacquiao is in talks to go up against Ricky Hatton.

And if it happens, it will happen in Las Vegas. Probably again at the MGM Grand.

Pacquiao would move down one weight class to fight Englishman Hatton, who was last in Vegas beating Paulie Malignaggi.

Each boxer has a large contingent of international fans, who would travel to Las Vegas at a critical time when Vegas needs an influx of tourists.

The fight would be in early May 2009 and promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, owned by De La Hoya.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

What happens when an Artic cold front meets moisture laden air fresh the South Pacific? You have a potential for record snowfall in Las Vegas. Las Vegas visitors and locals alike were stunned as they watched snow falling across the Vegas Valley throughout the day Tuesday. With accumulations reaching 2-6 inches previous snowfall records fell by the ice coated wayside.

It is indeed a rare event to see the white stuff covering Las Vegas resorts as you drive down the Las Vegas strip through slushy ice and snow. Of course, snow removal equipment in Las Vegas is as rare as a Vegas hooker that takes IOU's. A few Flipchip photos of the snowy Vegas landscape. Click anywhere within an image for larger versions.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

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Posted by flipchipro at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Get Trump for $99.

Locals can sample the brand new Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas for only $99 a night in studio suites.

The offer includes a 25 percent discount off the DJT restaurant (Sunday-Thursday) that features American cuisine.

Another added plus (or negative, depending how you look at it) is that the hotel does not have a casino, though it's a short walk to Wynn Las Vegas across the street.

To book a room, call (702) 476-7300 and ask for the "locals rate."

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Fireworks again will adorn New Year's Eve in Las Vegas, and Fireworks by Grucci will again plan the proceedings...

...only this time, the fireworks will not launch from rooftops of hotel-casinos like they have every year. This time, they'll launch from parking garages and parking lots.

Because even if there hasn't been an accident in the years of Vegas rooftop fireworks, it's okay if parking garages go up in flames.

The Monte Carlo rooftop fire almost a year ago resulted in new rules and regulations that caused the voluntary shift in venues from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

It could also be a cost-cutting move, but we don't think so because it will still be 30,000 effects, and this year will include one additional launch site.

Firing locations will go off at parking garages: MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, and the Stratosphere. They will also launch from the lots of the Mandalay Bay convention center, Luxor, Las Vegas Convention Center, and the Fremont Street Experience.

Tribute bands in the "TributePalooza" at Fremont include performances of Billy Joel, Eagles, David Bowie, KISS, Rolling Stones, U2, Queen, and Aerosmith. Bands begin at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and last through 1 a.m.

The theme for this year's grounded fireworks display of 8 minutes 10 seconds?

"Takin' It to the Streets."

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tonight, JET Nightclub (at Mirage) is hosting a Naughtiest Elf contest.

So get your Santa on and come dressed to impress, because top prize is $5,000.

Hosted by Nikki Rhodes, all of Santa's other naughty elves will be there to help celebrate the Christmas you can't write home about.

The contest begins at 10:30 p.m.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Treasure Island has been sold.

Phil Ruffin, who sold his New Frontier at the right time for $1.24 billion, has purchased the MGM Mirage property for a relative bargain at $775 million.

Like home foreclosures, this is the time to pick up casinos, whether large or small. A low investment upfront will ultimately pay off in the end.

Ruffin sold New Frontier (to what is still expected to become The Plaza) largely for the land. $775 million is a steal just for the 100 acres in prime Strip territory, let alone a successful hotel-casino thrown in.

With the economy sliding, could we expect to see other selloffs on the Strip? And if enough, could the Strip return to being independently owned, rather than being dominated by the two or three conglomerates?

Posted by R.C. Clark at 7:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

More holiday photos from Las Vegas. Even in these harsh economic times the Vegas puts on a holiday suit and serves up the holiday spirit to all takers. In a city that turns on millions of lights every night of the year addtion of a few million more mostly red and green lights defines the nature of the place.

Flipchip offers another half dozen images from resorts around the city. Click anywhere within an image for a variety of larger sized photos.Download if you want because we are a Creative Commons web site.

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Posted by flipchipro at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

As we count down the days to the 2009 AVN AEE show scheduled for January 8 - 11 at the Sands Expo Center in the Venetian/Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas. In anticipation of our favorite convention opening we convinced Flipchip to select a baker's dozen 2008 Adult Entertainment Expo photos for today's lead.

Strolling through an image gallery of sexy women photographed at the AEE is a great way to end the work week. A reminder, the AVN AEE is open to the public. The nominal price of admission gains a pass to walk around the exhibits, meet and talk to the adult stars, get autographs, have your photo taken with a star, and take photos of the stars. Plan to be a part of the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, all happening in less than a month in Las Vegas.

More photos after the jump. If you're easily offended and believe Las Vegas really is "Sin City." we strongly suggest you do not click to continue reading.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

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Posted by flipchipro at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hooters Casino Hotel has one of the largest Hooters restaurants.

Which means, plenty of room for free wings.

Yep, in what we hope starts a trend, Hooters is giving away 10 wings completely free.

Just visit the Hooters casino between 11 a.m. and midnight from Dec. 14-28.

You can only redeem the offer once, and you need to be a member of their player's club, but that's also free.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wendeen H. Eolis

High-powered consultant and poker player, Wendeen H. Eolis, defines the state of efforts to repeal UIGEA in her latest article, "Our Washington Insider: Aftermath of Sixty Minutes Expose" headlining on PokerPlayerNewspaper.com. Eolis shares her insiders' look at the reaction of incoming political powers to the 60 Minutes "Cheaters" episode broadcast November 30th on CBS TV.

This is a must read for every poker player and Internet gambler. Click this link for the latest information on the probability of online legalization and repeal of UIGEA. Until UIGEA is repealed American citizens are missing some important personal freedoms. Click the above link to read the article and stay informed. Make legalization a good bet.

Posted by flipchipro at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tomorrow marks the grand opening of the biggest McDonald's in the state.

Going with the lucky number 11, Viva McDonald's opens tomorrow, Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. and will have free gifts to the first 111 visitors.

Mayor Oscar Goodman will be onhand for the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon. Magician Mac King will also be working behind the counter, donating everything he sells to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

What's so different about this McDonald's?

Aside from its size at two stories and 8,600 square feet, it's the first "technology-inspired" fast food restaurant of the chain, with video screens throughout, WiFi, and a redone electric kitchen.

It's located at 2896 Las Vegas Boulevard, next to Circus Circus.

And of course, Viva McDonald's will be open 24 hours.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Down, down, down.

That's how far Las Vegas gaming revenue and tourist visits have dropped. Not only are they again down for the month of October, they're also among the largest percentage drop since records have been kept.

Gambling on the Strip was down 26 percent ($475 million) in October compared to the same time last year.

Visitors were down 10.2 percent, which was second only to 14.1 percent... and that was right after 9/11.

Gaming in general was generally thought of as recession-proof, but this distressing data clearly indicates people are neither visiting nor gambling as much as they used to.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

hdr photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Come to Las Vegas for the holiday spirits, the parties, the jovial crowd and the lights. My favorite time to shoot the city of perpetual lights. Everywhere you look there's visual color overload. This is the time when merchants display their very best window art, the giant resorts turn into holiday fantasy lands, and everyone has a smile. Anytime is a great time to be in Las Vegas, now is one of the greatest times.

A few Flipchip hdr photos taken at the Las Vegas Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Click any image for larger versions. If you see a photo you want for a holiday desktop or a Christmas card please feel free to download and use, (personnal use only). Flipchip will be posting more holiday galleries during the upcoming days so check back often.

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Posted by flipchipro at 6:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For locals, Primm Valley is free for a night.

As Herbst Gaming is staring bankruptcy in the face, they're throwing what could be one of the last promotions at the wall to see if it may help.

For locals only, they have a special of a night at one of their Primm casinos (Primm Valley, Whiskey Pete's, Buffalo Bill's), 2 tickets to the new topless show Sin City Kitties (at Whiskey Pete's), and 2 all-day attraction passes.

All for free if you show your Nevada I.D.

Herbst is still giving away the first 500 concert tickets to any of their shows, though the only show scheduled concurrent with the free night offer is Lucha libre wrestling with Rey Mysterio.

Primm, a.k.a. Stateline, is located about half an hour south of Las Vegas on I-15.

The free room offer is good between Dec. 10 and Dec. 30.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 5:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

For those busy with last-minute shopp... er, we mean, point accumulation at Harrah's properties to get 11,000 tier points for Diamond or 4,000 points for Platinum, you may as well hit up some multiplier days.

Multiplier days give you at least 2x all rewards points while you're busy racking up tier points ($5 playthrough per point for slots, $10 playthrough per point for video poker).

And if you're earning points anyway, why not get more value out of 'em?

Multiplier days are once per month at each property in the Harrah's/Total Rewards family (except Bill's Gamblin' Hall). Days begin at 5 a.m., and you must swipe in your card at the Total Rewards desk before you begin playing to be eligible for the multiplier.

Here are the upcoming dates:

Bally's
Dec. 22, Jan. 4, Feb. 22, March 9

Caesars Palace
Dec. 18, Jan. 14, Feb. 12, March 30

Flamingo
Dec. 16, Jan. 13, Feb. 23, March 22

Harrah's
Dec. 14, Jan. 28, Feb. 10, March 24

Imperial Palace
Dec. 9 (tomorrow), Jan. 1, Feb. 17, March 4

Paris
Dec. 28, Jan. 2, Feb. 16, March 25

Rio
Dec. 17, Jan. 12, Feb. 2, March 5

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Binion's $1 million bucks is back!

Long a tradition from 1964 to 2000, $1 million in cash was displayed encased in glass for photo opportunities. Then it was removed when a coin collector purchased the case for an undisclosed amount of money (worth more than $1 million because of the rare $10,000 notes that were also part of the display).

Now the new owners of Binion's have restored the tradition, in the form of $100, $20, and $1 bills arranged in a pyramid.

The money is located next to the escalators heading toward the poker room and sits on top of a reinforced poker table.

Visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, when the loot is then locked up in a steel case (pictured above, when we arrived). If you've thought of heist possibilities, the case is left alone with no visible guards, but the trick is to get past the heavy camera security.

During the day, visitors are charged $20 for a photo with the cash, though that also comes with $25 in freeplay.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 12:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

With O.J. now in prison, it's safe for Britney Spears to do her first tour in five years.

Her Circus album (which we quite like and is a fitting comeback for her) takes to the streets with a 27-city U.S. tour beginning March 3.

She will appear in Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden arena on April 25.

Tickets are $55 through $275 and go on sale tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster as well as the MGM Grand box office.

Here's a sample of what you can expect.

She appeared on her 27th birthday this week (Dec. 2) on "Good Morning America" performing live "Womanizer" and
"Circus".

Posted by R.C. Clark at 8:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Presiding Judge Jackie Glass brought down the legal curtain on the criminal affairs of former football great OJ Simpson shortly before noon today. Up to 33 years in prison. Showing little emotion Simpson had a look of "I should have known..." as the long sentence was handed down. If Simpson loses his appeals and does the maximum time he'll be over 90 years old when he gets out of jail. He must serve 9 years before he is eligible for parole.

Barring any unforeseen man-made miracles, Simpson will likely spend Christmas behind bars after he was immediately removed for incarceration at the NDOC High Desert Prison facility north of Las Vegas. He left in waist chains and cuffs. Co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart received a sentence of up to 27 years and must serve 7.5 years before he is eligible for parole.

Posted by flipchipro at 6:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

O.J. Simpson is scheduled to be sentenced today for a variety of charges related to a host of felony convictions. The crimes took place in September, 2007 at the Palace Station Casino and Hotel when OJ and a group of men rushed a guest room filled with sports memorabilia and some rather questionable sport's memorabilia dealers with a stash of Simpson collectables from his football days of glory. Simpson was arrested a few days later.

Simpson claimed it had been stolen from his kids and he was there to reclaim the stuff. He also brought along a few friends to help carry it from the hotel. Most of the friends took a deal to avoid jail time in exchange for speaking for the prosecution. One friend did not take a plea deal, Clarence "C.J." Stewart. He will also be sentenced today.

The sentences can range from a low of 3 years to a maximum of life. Whatever the outcome, short of dismissal, expect an appeal from the defense table along with a request of release during the appeal process. Judge Jackie Glass is considered to have an astute sense of the big picture. You would not use the word "lenient" when describing her typical judgments; and lastly, she is considered to be very fair judge. Court begins at 12 PM ET and should be over in two hours.

More posts published during the trial:

Trial Day 1

More Trial News

Trial Day 2

Goes to Jury

Posted by flipchipro at 7:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

There are free drinks, and then there are free drinks.

Las Vegas is known as the free drink capitol of the world, but usually you need to be gambling or at least be good at flirting to get the free drinks.

Then there are happy hours, where a bar offers free drinks between certain hours.

Now on Dec. 17 between 7 and 9 p.m., there's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which will go completely open bar.

Yep, all the bars within the casino will be handing out free drinks to celebrate the holiday season.

This includes the Center Bar, AGO, Wasted Space, the bar in Pink Taco, and even the bar in the Poker Lounge.

And no gambling necessary.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

We thought it strange that the presumably sold-out fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquaio could not only still have tickets available, but those tickets are half-price.

Maybe the economy is curtailing boxing fans from shelling out $1,500 per ticket (the coveted blue tickets, which are also still available).

The fight takes place Saturday, Dec. 6 at 3:30 p.m. (with main event at 6 p.m.) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Tickets can be purchased at Goldstar:

Blue section: $750 + $50 fee (regularly $1,500)
Pink section: $500 + $50 fee (regularly $1,000)
Green section: $375 + $35 fee (regularly $750)
Orange section: $250 + $25 fee (regularly $500)

Note that tickets will not be available at the box office but through Nevada Tickets, 5030 Paradise Road #B108. So you'd make your purchase, then head to Nevada Tickets on Saturday beginning at noon.

Incidentally, tickets are still available ringside for $20,000. Those aren't discounted.

Nevada Tickets is also selling tickets to a closed-circuit live telecast of the fight, with prices ranging from $95 to $149.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

This isn't your daddy's bus. Now through the weekend you can take a ride on the monster school bus. It's a $300K jacked-up customized 1956 Chevolet out of Torrance, California. Even those kids that hate to get on the yellow buses will like this one, especially considering it doesn't stop at any schools.

A five dollar bill will get a ticket to ride. 100% of the profits will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, a most deserving organization that is hard at work searching for a cure to this insidious disease.

Pack up the kids and head to the Home Depot parking lot at the corner of Charleston and Lamb on the east side of town for a truly unique experience and it's only $5.

Posted by flipchipro at 11:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Daredevil Robbie Knievel will soon jump a volcano.

A Las Vegas volcano, that is.

Knievel will take to his motorcycle on New Year's Eve and attempt to jump over the new volcano at the Mirage (the new volcano will begin erupting again on Dec. 8).

The stunt will be broadcast live on FOX.

On New Year's Eve 1967, Knievel's father Evil Knievel had his famous but unsuccessful jump over the water fountain at Caesars Palace.

In 1989, Robbie Knievel later accomplished what his dad couldn't do.

The jump attempt over the "erupting" Mirage volcano will be at 6 p.m., enough time to move aside for hundreds of thousands of revelers expected on the Strip for Las Vegas' biggest night of fireworks.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For the next 10 days, get ready for boot-stompin' and 40-gallon hats, because the rodeo's in town!

Las Vegas celebrates the beginning of the 50th annual National Finals Rodeo today, which like other years, continues for 10 days of competition amongst riders.

Roping, bull riding, bareback, steer wrestling... all will vie for over $5.5 million in prizes.

Many of the tickets have already been sold out, but you can go to select casinos such as Mirage to watch live simulcasts for free.

Along with the live feed (get it, feed?) at Mirage, they will also host live entertainment for free:

Dec. 4, Amanda Henkel and Cody McCarver
Dec. 5-6, Derry Perry
Dec. 7-10, Jason Meadows
Dec. 11, Susie Dobbs
Dec. 12-13, Katie Armiger

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

The 22nd Annual Downtown Hoedown begins tonight!

Stop by Fremont Street Experience starting at 6 p.m. and running through 11 p.m. for the official kickoff party for the National Finals Rodeo.

Free musical entertainment includes:

1st Street Stage
Lady Antebellum, 6-8 p.m.
Heidi Newfield, 9-11 p.m.

3rd Street Stage
The Road Hammers, 6-8 p.m.
Mark Chesnutt, 9-11 p.m.

Don't forget to wear your boots!

For more information, call (702) 678-5600.

photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Posted by R.C. Clark at 1:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Next Tuesday, Dec. 9, Mayor Oscar Goodman will flip the switch to light up the Las Vegas Christmas tree.

The 50-foot tree will be in the Fremont Street Experience, beneath 12 million lights from the Viva Vision screen.

The free ceremony takes place at 6 p.m., and will follow at 6:30 p.m. with a performance by the Holiday Lights ice skating on the 1st Street Stage.

Holiday Lights on Ice will perform Dec. 9 through 20 at 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hash House a Go Go (6800 W. Sahara), our favorite place to stuff ourselves silly, has a special 25 percent off deal in the form of gift cards.

Purchase $100 in Hash House gift cards and receive a $25 gift card for free.

Then you can turn around and use the whole $125 on a giant meal.

The offer is good through Dec. 31.

Hash House a Go Go also has their restaurant available for any holiday parties you may hold, between 12 and 45 people.

Special menus begin at $7.95 per person.

And best yet, they'll do all the clean up.

For more information, call (702) 804-4646.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

hdr photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Having grown up in the high country I remember Thanksgivings spent with family gathered around the fireplace watching the Dallas Cowboys and wondering how long it would snow. After relocating to Las Vegas the snowy cold turkey days are nothing more than a memory. Now we sit on the patio watching the Dallas Cowboys and wondering if a long sleeve shirt would be too warm. Until this year.

Admittedly, the temperatures weren't very cold but the low clouds, misty rain and fog swirling around the great resorts on the Las Vegas strip provided a rare photo opp. Fog in most other places usually comes in shades of gray; but not Las Vegas. No Sir. Our fog comes in living color -- MGM Grand green, Flamingo pink, IP blue, Venetian gold, Ceasars Palace ivory and the coppery hues of Encore/Wynn Las Vegas.

Flipchip's Thanksgiving HDR photos were all taken on Thanksgiving eve from a point on the west side of the Las Vegas strip. Click anywhere on a photo for a large high quality image. Visit our HDR Gallery for more Las Vegas HDR photos.

hdr photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

hdr photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

hdr photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

hdr photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

hdr photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

hdr photo by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Posted by flipchipro at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

The Silverton Hotel and Casino has a special 2-for-1 entree at most of their restaurants... even their delicious Twin Creeks steakhouse, which is normally excluded from deals such as these.

Buy one entree and you'll receive a second entree of equal or lesser value for free.

A coupon isn't necessary, but you must show your Discovery Club card to redeem (it's free to sign up).

The offer can't be combined with any other offer or discount, so you won't get the discount used if you pay with your points. Of course, don't let that stop you from trying... you may get a friendly server who will give you the discount anyway (which for us is 30 percent for Platinum).

The offer does not include the Seasons buffet, Starbucks, Johnny Rockets, or Luciano and expires Dec. 30.

By the way, we recommend stocking up on MGD at one of the casino bars beforehand, as all bottles are $1.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 3:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

From the creators of TAO, the new LAVO nightclub (at Palazzo) is also a restaurant and offers a $30 pre-fixe meal for theatergoers.

Now you don't have to see Blue Man Group, Phantom of the Opera, or Jersey Boys at Venetian/Palazzo to enjoy the pre-theater meal. Just show up and ask for the $30 special (it would help if you show up at least 90 minutes before a show is to begin).

The meal comes with one selection from each of three plates:

FIRST PLATE
Greek salad with feta mousse
Manchego baked onion soup
Bistro sald with goat cheese vinaigrette
Pizzette margherita

SECOND PLATE
Linguine vongole
Carmelized salmon
Herb grilled chicken paillard
Steak frites

THIRD PLATE
Warm chocolate bread pudding
Apricot almond "pizza"
Apple crisp
Trio of ice cream, chocolate chip cookies

Note that taxes and tip are not included, nor are beverages.

For reservations, call (702) 791-1800 or visit www.lavolv.com.

Posted by R.C. Clark at 2:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

photos by the flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Las Vegas Sands Corp. is fighting an uphill battle to remain a viable entity on the Cotai strip. With the tanked world economy and the foot-dragging Chinese government's failure to issue the necessary land use permits the Las Vegas Sands could be looking at a forced exit from the Asia gambling enclave as early as August 2011.

Las Vegas Sands must complete the development of one of its parcels of land within the next 33 months or lose all of the company's holdings and investments in Macao. Unfortunately, this could include walking away from their major investment in the two completed projects, The Venetian Macao and the Four Seasons Macao, and forever being being banned from operating in Macao.

The recent Chinese government's decision to deny visas to many of the now wealthy Chinese citizens combined with the government's recent belief that gambling is contributing to the economic downturn makes the gambling resort business a losing proposition. It appears the once high flying Macao resort corridor has become enveloped in a cloud of doubt and financial despair.

Read the detailed story at BNET and go here for a copy of the Las Vegas Sands Corp latest quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Posted by flipchipro at 1:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)